|
You might have heard of Fr. Flanagan and his Boys' Town in Nebraska. If you are old enough you may remember the movie with Spencer Tracy as Fr. Flanagan and Mickey Rooney as the ‘unloved and troubled tough kid.’ The movie has a beautiful ending, as Mickey accepts the love given him by Fr. Flanagan and the boys.
This same scenario is being actualized in new Boys' Towns and Girls' Towns which are in different stages of development under the inspiration and guidance of our General Director, Fr. Alphonsus Maria Duran, M.J.
Miles Jesu operates Boys' Towns in Bortniky, Ukraine, Eziowelle, Nigeria, and Sirsi, India. Some stories from these locations are included below so you can see how Miles Jesu is making a difference in the lives of these children.
Bortniky, Ukraine
There is one boy named Olajic who is only 10. When he was with his family, he had sisters who were 16 and 17 years old but he was the one taking care of all the children in the family. The youngest child in his family is 3 and there are several other young children whom he was taking care of — preparing food, begging for money...
After he entered the Boys' Town, he felt sorry that he was not taking care of his brothers and sisters anymore, even though his father beat him very hard when he was at home...
One day Olajic wouldn’t say anything. He was very quite and started crying and crying. He was remembering all the things that happened in his life...how his father had beat them...he put his mother and all the children in one room, locked the door and started to beat all of them...
It is amazing how they call us...”my father, my father...” They don’t need much...show them some attention...just show them love.
It takes time to form them so that they are stable...they are always having ups and downs.
We have a farm with pigs, cows and chickens. They boys have different jobs on the farm and work after they get home from school.
We ask ourselves, ‘What will these boys become? Thieves or men consecrated to God? Aimless alcoholics or virtuous architects?’ Our hope is that they will be good people — and how much good these boys can do!
In Ukraine there are thousands of boys just like those now living with us. They are going to be lost. With your help, Miles Jesu can help make them good leaders for Jesus Christ.
Would you consider making a donation to support the Miles Jesu Missions? You can make a donation online or call us at 1-800-654-7944.
Eziowelle, Nigeria
There are currently 15 boys at this Boys' Town in Nigeria. Living conditions in Nigeria are very poor and it is a challenge to provide adequate living quarters, food, and education for these children.
Currently our charitable work consists of a medical clinic in Umuoji, where a local doctor and nurse offer aid to the sick and some of our members work, helping to perform lab tests. This clinic was started by our own doctors from the Epiphany Medical Mission team. Our goal is to develop this clinic into a larger hospital. We also feed many poor people who come to our house and those who are in prison. Many people are unjustly kept in prison, sometimes for as many as six years. For example, someone might pay to be released for a crime they have committed while an innocent person is locked up in their stead. A trial for an innocent person may not take place for up to six years. The jails are crowded, in terrible condition, and often people get very sick. Our members go there, talk with the people, pray with them and bring them food.
All of our projects are coordinated by local domus and vinculum leaders. Thanks be to God, there is a steady flow of vocations here. Thomas, one of the newest members of our community, is now preparing for his consecration. He, together with other domus members, is studying pedagogy and administration so that he can work at the new school and Boys’ Town and better assist this big project. Our members who study are quite busy because, on top of studying, they participate in the many works that we are involved in. At present there are eight domus members and ten boys in the Boys’ Town. In the new house we could have as many as sixty boys.
Costs are drastically rising in this area and it is causing a crisis for the local people. And of course, this also affects our community. Our expenses range from the costs of education for our members and the boys in the Boys’ Town, to travelling expenses between our current locations.
Thank you for your prayers and generous support! Please continue to pray for our community in Nigeria and for the success of this project, that we might become everyday more “...more humble, more fervent, and more zealous for the salvation of souls” (St. Anthony Mary Claret).
Would you consider making a donation to support the Miles Jesu Missions? You can make a donation online or call us at 1-800-654-7944.
Sirsi, India
There are eighteen boys in our Boys' Town in Sirsi, India. The boys are between nine and 18 years of age.
All of our boys are Catholic and attend daily Mass along with the domus (house) members. Thanks be to God, they are developing in a wholesome way. The children are happy and form one big family. The boys attend formal classes at three different schools — Catholic and state-run — depending upon their age and level of instruction.
When they first join they usually are suffering from various conditions, for example, being under-weight; protein deficiencies; colds or dental problems; wounds; and fear. This calls for immediate attention — by a doctor, pscychologist or dentist according to the situation. The newcomers also have difficulties coping wth their studies and so need plenty of coaching.
Our young brothers come from situations of material poverty or tragic family backgrounds. They are either orphans with one or both parents no longer living, or of parents who are unable to feed, clothe or educate their children. Some of them have suicide cases in their families or fathers with alcohol addiction.
The boys at Miles Jesu now have a home to live in, food to eat, bathrooms, and daily enjoy outdoor sports and indoor games. We provide them with school uniforms and books. It is very encouraging to see the boys organise themselves and act out plays with moral messages. Some of them display exceptional singing talents. It can get a little bit noisy in the house at times; but this is all part of being one BIG faith family.
Jesus came to save the whole person — body and soul. Our domus (house) members are providing overall formation for the boys according to their physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual needs. Miles Jesu members show their belonging to the Lord and the Mother through the joyful and voluntary consecration (Miles Jesu constitution # 247).
The children have a share of the responsibilities as well: cleaning, studying well, keeping their things organised, following a schedule, practicing good table manners, dressing well and prayer. Their formation is geared to making future leaders for society as well as the Church. Four of them have expressed a clear intention of serving God in Miles Jesu and their actions show it.
Some go to the missions, others give to the missions, and without both there are no missions. Thank you for your help. May God reward for your generous support. Please be assured of the prayers of the children and the domus members. We pray daily for all our benefactors and vocation promoters.
Would you consider making a donation to support the Miles Jesu Missions? You can make a donation online or call us at 1-800-654-7944.
|
